You’re at a networking meeting and you want to talk to someone who is in a tight knit little group.

What do you do?

Do you hover and hope one of them will spot you and let you in?

Do you interrupt the conversation?

Cupping* provides a neat solution.

Simply cup the elbow of anyone in the group. They will automatically turn towards you, giving the opportunity to smile winningly and say, “May I join you?”

(If you are a normal polite human being you will notice when someone is hovering and invite them to join in your conversation so this tactic should never be necessary.)

*Other forms of cupping are available.

How do you break into huddles at networking meetings?